Toy manufacturers are working on a testing and certification program that would help consumers tell quickly whether toys meet safety standards — but not until Christmas 2008. Meanwhile, the industry is scrambling to bolster confidence in its products for this holiday season.

Disney (DIS) on Monday began notifying toymakers that license its characters or brand names that it would start randomly testing all Disney-themed toys. Toys R Us (TOY) and Wal-Mart (WMT) say they're increasing spot checks.

The Toy Industry Association is working with the independent American National Standards Institute to come up with procedures for toymakers and testing laboratories to use to certify that toys meet all mandatory safety standards, but it could be months before a proposal is finalized. The program would be similar to a certification program done by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, which includes a symbol on cribs, high chairs and other products to show they meet safety standards. Until then:

•Disney spokeswoman Nidia Caceros Tatalovich says it will test toys that are already in stores, as well as those that are about to hit retail shelves. The company plans to examine about 65,000 products a year from about 2,000 licensees.

•Toys R Us began spot checking products on store shelves earlier this year and is now significantly increasing the number of those checks to include toys from every manufacturer, says spokeswoman Kathleen Waugh.

•Wal-Mart has hired independent laboratories and is in the process of retesting all holiday toy products, about 200 per day. It believes the process will be completed in a few weeks, says merchandise spokeswoman Melissa O'Brien. Wal-Mart also has asked all its toy suppliers to resubmit testing data for toys on its shelves or en route to stores.

Legislation pending in Congress and backed by toymakers and consumer advocates would require testing and certification that all children's products meet safety standards. Testing is not now required for toys or children's jewelry, both of which have been subject to recent recalls for high lead content.

Joan Lawrence, vice president of regulations at the toy association, says the group wants the Consumer Product Safety Commission to require whatever testing the standards institute proposes so there is a "level playing field."

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